Basic Bladesmithing

Beginners Bladesmithing

Instructor: Herb Kettel and Nick Rossi

Class runs : March 18 - 21, 2011 (4 days)

Friday through Monday, 8am - 5pm daily

Tuition: $475.00     
 
Skill Level: Beginner and up

ENROLL NOW

        A journey in to the world of the Bladesmith. This intense four day class will focus on the forging skills needed for bladesmithing using 1095 high carbon steel. Full tang blades with slab handle construction will be the primary project. A focus on forging, grinding, and heat treatment will be the core of the class. Basic handle construction, fitting and finish will be covered. Various topics may include, file work for decorative purposes, types of adhesives, pin materials, handle materials and final sharpening. Students could expect to leave with 1 completed knife, however, the objectives of the class are to teach and practice the processes, not to produce product . This is not a beginners blacksmithing class and students should be very familiar with all of the basic forging processes.

        Herb Kettell began tinkering with knives as a teen in 1992.  Acquiring tools and books over the years he began to play with forging. In 1996 Herb went to work for Freeport Knife Co. Inc. in Freeport, ME getting a real taste of the retail knife business, all the while making knives in his free time as a hobby. Herb currently works as a ship fitter at Washburn and Doughty Associates, a commercial shipyard specializing in large tug boats, located in East Boothbay. His focus is on well designed completely functional tools; be it a chef's knife, hunter’s knife or tool for the martial artist. All must do the work they are intended to. When this is considered the tools aesthetic begins to come out on it's own. Form comes from function. 

       Nick Rossi has been making knives professionally for six years. His background is in manufacturing and machine tool. He is also currently employed at The Freeport Knife Co. as a sales and product specialist.  Nick's favorite part of knife making is the constant challenge that it offers. The combination of functionality and beauty is what the maker strives for with each completed knife. Largely self taught, Nick owes much of his skill to the generosity of other local craftsmen and there willingness to share information. Nick offers a  wide variety of designs and materials with the primary goal to maintain a cohesive style that is distinctive and identifiable. Nick hopes to expand his knife making to national level while maintaining the old world tradition of handmade, beautiful knives. When Nick is not making knives he manages Cavallo Rossi, a family owned equestrian center in Gray, where his workshop is located.